Population 21,371 (2011 census) LGA(s) City of Frankston Langwarrin Cranbourne South Postal code 3910 Federal division Division of Dunkley | Postcode(s) 3910 State electorate(s) Hastings Area 23.7 km² Municipality City of Frankston | |
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Location 42 km (26 mi) from Melbourne
7 km (4 mi) from Frankston | ||
Langwarrin is a semi rural suburb on the urban fringe of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 42 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its local government area is Frankston City. At the 2011 census, Langwarrin had a population of 21,371.
Contents
- Map of Langwarrin VIC 3910 Australia
- History
- Geography
- Langwarrin Flora and Fauna reserve formerly Langwarrin Military Reserve
- Recreation
- McClelland Gallery
- Sport
- Shopping
- Fires
- Schools
- Notable residents
- References
Map of Langwarrin VIC 3910, Australia
Langwarrin is bounded in the north generally by Valley Road, in the east by Dandenong-Hastings Road, in the south by Robinsons Road and in the west by the route of the proposed extension of the Mornington Peninsula Freeway and by McClelland Drive to the north of the suburb.
History
Langwarrin had two post offices opening after the arrival of the Stony Point railway in 1889, Langwarrin Railway Station on 9 September 1889 and Langwarrin away from the railway on 26 September 1889. Langwarrin closed in 1893 and Langwarrin Railway Station was renamed Langwarrin in 1913.
Geography
It has good access to the City via The Western Port Highway, South Gippsland Highway and Monash Freeway. Cranbourne-Frankston Road which runs east-to-west through Langwarrin is a two-lane-each-direction carriageway, recently widened to cater for this growing population, in part helped by a number of housing developments.
Until December 1994 Langwarrin was part of the City of Cranbourne, formerly the Shire of Cranbourne. At this time the suburb was moved into City of Frankston as part of statewide reform of local government.
Langwarrin Flora and Fauna reserve (formerly Langwarrin Military Reserve)
Langwarrin's most prominent landscape feature is its large Flora and Fauna reserve (formerly the Langwarrin Military Reserve). The nature reserve has many walking tracks and is an ideal place for quiet recreation activities such as walking, nature study and photography.
The Langwarrin Military Reserve was established in 1886 at what was then deemed to be a strategic elevated location for the defence of Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne from seaborne attack. Over time it was extended to its present size of 509 acres (2.06 km2).
Prior to World War I the reserve was used mainly for temporary encampments of volunteer soldiery from throughout Victoria held at Easter or after New Year. These were held here in 1888, 1891, 1894, 1896, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1904 and 1910 as evidenced by the dates the Langwarrin Camp Post Office was open. The Langwarrin railway station was opened in 1888 next to the facility; in the same year a failed attempt was made to sell allotments on a new township of Aldershot adjoining the reserve. On the outbreak of World War 1 the reserve was used for the detention of enemy aliens (predominantly Germans) and from 1915 a military hospital for combatants with venereal disease was established.
After World War II the reserve was used occasionally for military training, until 1974 when it came under control of the Balcombe Military Camp and was used for training of Army Reserve and school cadet units etc.. In 1980 the reserve was leased to the Victorian Ministry of Conservation and in 1982 the State Government purchased the reserve from the Commonwealth Government.
Today all the buildings are gone. Remaining evidence of past use include earthworks, drainage and foundations and changes in the pattern of vegetation following regrowth after clearing.
Recreation
Langwarrin is home to the following parks and attractions:
McClelland Gallery
The McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park is a prominent gallery, set in eight hectares of landscaped bushland, featuring a sculpture park. It was named in honour of renowned Frankston artists, Nan McClelland and Harry McClelland. The McClelland Award is Australia's richest sculpture prize, and is awarded by the gallery biennially (supported by the gallery's patron and Langwarrin resident, the late Dame Elisabeth Murdoch).
Sport
Langwarrin has a soccer club Langwarrin SC competing in the Victorian State League Division 1 which is the third tier of Australian soccer behind the Victorian Premier League and the national A-League.
An Australian Rules Football club, the Langwarrin Kangaroos, compete in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League as well as being one of Victoria's largest junior football clubs. Langwarrin is also well represented by basketball, tennis, netball, cricket and dancing clubs.
Lloyd Park is a large local sporting venue, that has facilities for netball, tennis and football.
Langwarrin Pony Club and the Peninsula Adult Riders Club provide cross-country, dressage and show jumping facilities for equestrian enthusiasts at the Langwarrin Equestrian & Recreation Reserve.
Shopping
Langwarrin has two main shopping centres: The Gateway Shopping Village (owned by Vicinity Centres) - home to a Coles supermarket and 40 specialty stores and Langwarrin Plaza Shopping Centre, home to a Safeway supermarket.
There are also a number of small shopping strips, including Long Street, and at the corner of North Road and Warrandyte Road.
Fires
Langwarrin has had many fires, the most recent on 21 January 2009 where a fire broke out just near Pindara Boulevard. The fire burnt 14 hectares. There was also a large fire in the Langwarrin Flora And Fauna Reserve in December 1999.